Labor secretary says state's economy rebounding

DARTMOUTH — Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Suzanne Bump, the self-proclaimed "play-by-play announcer of the recession," says the state's ailing economy is showing signs of rebounding.

JENNIFER LADE

DARTMOUTH — Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Suzanne Bump, the self-proclaimed "play-by-play announcer of the recession," says the state's ailing economy is showing signs of rebounding.

But not everyone is convinced, especially some in her UMass Dartmouth audience Tuesday night who aren't sure at all that they want to live and work in Massachusetts.

About 100 people turned out at the campus' Woodland Commons for "What's your Massachusetts?," a state-sponsored forum aimed at 18- to 35-year-olds and the future they envision in the Bay State.

One of several such sessions being held statewide by Gov. Deval Patrick's Office of Civic Engagement, it was meant to give young adults input on the positives and negatives of living in the state, especially with regard to the economy.

"I want to stay here, but I'm worried I won't be able to find a job," one young woman said.

She was not alone in her sentiments or her concerns.

"Every time we turn around, there's something else that keeps hitting us in the face," said UMass Dartmouth senior Matthew Hoyt, who was among the panelists for the forum. Although he hopes to remain in Massachusetts, Hoyt said state schools are getting less and less state funding, and the cost is getting harder for students to bear.

What happens to them after graduation remains to be seen.

The numbers give a mixed picture of the state of the job market. According to Bump, unemployment is rising, even as the overall economy is looking better.

Currently, 250,000 people in Massachusetts are receiving unemployment benefits, she said. The bright side? Jobs in the private sector have been increasing for the past four months, and the areas where losses are still happening have slowed to a trickle.

"We have every reason to believe we're on the right track," Bump said, adding that there is evidence that residents who found opportunities in other states during previous recessions are returning to Massachusetts.

"There's actually more hope for economic prosperity to return to this state" before others, she said.

But for people still in school or just starting out, many issues remain unanswered. A panel of young people, from small business owners to nonprofit workers spoke to the challenges faced by Massachusetts and SouthCoast in particular.

Michaela Gagne, a heart health advocate, said a high dropout rate could discourage businesses from investing in the region, while Jason Lanagan, president of the SouthCoast Business Alliance said he is looking for better transportation for the area.

Tem Blessed, who works for YouthBuild in New Bedford, said racism is still an issue many people face.

Audience members had plenty of complaints about higher education in the state, criticizing crowded classrooms, ever-rising costs and administration-heavy systems.

Gagne said some of the criticisms came from a "grass is greener" mentality. However, she said many of the problems mentioned are not unique to the commonwealth.

"I think it's happening everywhere," she said.

Trying to get a better read, Bump asked for a show of hands as to who plans to stay or go.

A majority of those present indicated they are hoping to find a way to make it in Massachusetts. They cited the entrepreneurial spirit of New Bedford and Fall River, the diversity of the region and the opportunities for volunteerism as some of the reasons they will stay.

"The most important thing is there are opportunities in almost every sector," Lanagan said.